City's pound repairs could cost $320,000
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

A new animal control building in the city of El Campo could cost $320,000 if located at the current Thompson Road site.C

ity Council reviewed designs on the 2,000-squarefoot metal building during a workshop Thursday, learning the project is within three to four weeks of being ready to bid. RWS Architect Malcolm Gaus told the four Council members present the overall project would take between four and six months to complete.

But Gaus also recommended the city wait and bid the project with a pending expansion of the police department (please see related story).

Two challenges face the city if the facility is to remain at its present site.

"That building (the current animal control facility) must be taken down in order to put it (the new building) up," Gaus said.

Another difficulty is the need to raise the foundation on any new building in the flood-prone area and allow for handicap access.

Doing both adds about $28,000 to the cost of the project, he said.

As designed, the new building would have in excess of 18 cages for dogs as well as an area for smaller cat cages, storage and a shower for workers.

The shower is needed, Gaus said, "because of skunk sprays and other things he (the animal control officer) has to deal with."

The overall facility has to be approved by the state health department which has required cages that prevent animals from touching noses.

The restriction, Gaus said, helps prevent the spread of diseases.

Only the office would be airconditioned although the entire facility would be heated.

Several fans would be located in the building to cope with excessive summer heat.

The new animal control building is part of a $2.9 million municipal building improvement plan backed with a combination of fund balance dollars and $1.65 million in Certificates of Obligation.